Tigers hopeful speed burns UT
AUSTIN — Nothing went right the first time around.
Texas Southern allowed 10 runs, committed three errors and left 11 men on base in a 10-2 loss to Texas on April 18 at Constellation Field in Sugar Land. But that was the last real shellacking coach Michael Robertson’s team endured.
In 15 games since that meeting, TSU (27-26) has outscored opponents 165-70, including 46-19 in a four-game SWAC tournament sweep. That high-octane production has generally been enough to offset a pitching staff that ranks as one of the nation’s worst.
Now TSU enters the Austin Regional as the No. 4 seed, and another matchup with Big 12 champion and No. 1 seed Texas (37-20) looms. The two meet Friday at Disch-Falk Field.
“When you look at Texas Southern, who we were matched up with down in Houston, this is a team that is a little different from the SWAC team you’ve seen in the past,” UT coach David Pierce said. “First of all, they’re older. They’re very physical and they can run. They are a very qualified four seed.
“If you look at Texas Southern, they’re the best-running team in the tournament.”
Only four Division I teams exceeded TSU’s mark of 2.15 stolen bases per game, a number bolstered by the Tigers’ ability to consistently get on base (.309 team batting average). SWAC Player of the Year Kamren Dukes is batting .396 with 30 stolen bases. Infielder Gaudencio Luca has swiped 25 bags, and his .496 onbase percentage ranks 12th nationally.
But the most daunting task for TSU might be playing in front of a loud burnt-orange crowd. Disch-Falk Field, capacity 7,373, might as well be Yankee Stadium compared with MacGregor Park.
“Playing on big stages, we’re not used to it because our home field seats 200 people,” Dukes said. “But to say we haven’t been there is wrong. A lot of us are battle-tested in that situation, playing in front of thousands of people.”
Friday’s game will stand as the biggest battle of the season for TSU, and if nothing else, the Tigers are determined to put up a better fight this time around.
“There’s a lot of history to (potentially) be made; we’re very excited to be here,” Robertson said. “I can’t think of a ballclub that deserves to be here more than ours. We expect some great things to happen this weekend.”